Test Anxiety

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Test Anxiety

• Symptoms and Tips
• Developed and Designed by Birma Gainor

2
Introduction

• It is important to learn to recognize test
  anxiety and how to deal with the anxiety.
• Most students run into problems with it at one
  time or another.
• Anxiety is normal, but do not let test anxiety
  ruin your performance!

3
Advice Overview

• Symptoms of Test Anxiety
• Tips for Reducing Test Anxiety

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Symptoms of Test Anxiety

• Fear of failing before arriving to take the exam
• Feeling tension as exam is being passed out
• Physical symptoms such as increased heart rate,
  shortness of breath, perspiring, etc.
• Negative thinking such as I am going to fail,
  I am dumb, I shouldnt even bother taking the
  exam

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Symptoms (cont)

• Blanking out on information that you studied
• Recalling the information that you blanked out on
  during the test, after the test
• Frustration with your grade on the exam because
  you know you were well prepared

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Tips for Reducing Test Anxiety

• Prepare for the test ahead of time DONT CRAM!
• Get plenty of rest/sleep the night before.
• Do not forget to eat the day of the exam,
  preferably something nutritious.
• Avoid arriving early OR late to the exam.
• Avoid last minute studying you are already
  prepared.

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Tips (cont)

• Avoid listening to others or discussing the exam
  with others anxiety can be contagious!
• Do not forget to breathe! Take deep breaths to
  help you relax.
• Replace negative thoughts with positive thoughts
  Repeat positive statements to yourself I am a
  good student I am well prepared I will do
  fine.
• Do not get bogged down in questions you do not
  know move on and return later. Other questions
  may clue you in, or the answer may come to you.

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Questions?

• Please talk to one of the staff members if you
  have more concerns or if you would like
  assistance.